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Prince Andrew embroiled in 'heated disagreement' with royal aide

The Duke of York attends The Duke of York Young Champions Trophy
Reports are circulating that the Duke of York was involved in a heated argument with a royal aide. Photo: Getty

Prince Andrew has been embroiled in a “heated disagreement” with a royal aide, it has been revealed. \

The Duke of York, who has been under growing pressure over his links to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal in recent weeks, is said to have exchanged heated words with the male member of staff.

According to the Mail on Sunday, Prince Charles was forced to mediate and asked Andrew to apologise.

A spokesman for Buckingham Palace said: “Some time ago there was a disagreement between the Duke of York and a member of staff.

“The disagreement was resolved and there are no ongoing issues.”

Prince Charles, Prince of Wales at Barnard Castle
The Prince of Wales is said to have heard about the incident and asked the duke to apologise. Photo: Getty

The newspaper quoted a source saying: “There were heated words on both sides but the altercation was in no way physical.

“It was a verbal dispute. It was a work-related issue. The duke got very cross that what he wanted wasn't possible.”

Return to royal duties

Prince Andrew returned to his royal duties over the weekend with a visit to the Royal Liverpool Golf Club to mark its 150th anniversary.

It was his first major international event since the scandal broke over his friendship with the paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Epstein was found dead in his cell on August 10 in New York while facing fresh charges of sex trafficking and conspiracy to traffic minors for sex.

Jeffrey Epstein poses for a sex offender mugshot
Prince Andrew's friendship with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein has been scrutinised in recent weeks. Photo: Getty

Embroiled in scandal

Andrew has been dogged by allegations of impropriety with underage girls introduced to him by Epstein.

Buckingham Palace has issued strong denials in response to claims from a woman who said she was forced to have underage sex with the duke.

Virginia Roberts Giuffre alleged in court papers in Florida that she was forced to have sex with Andrew when she was 17, which is under the age of consent in the state.

The palace has called the allegations “false and without any foundation”, saying “any suggestion of impropriety with under-age minors” by the duke was “categorically untrue”.

Andrew said in a statement on August 24: “At no stage during the limited time I spent with [Epstein] did I see, witness or suspect any behaviour of the sort that subsequently led to his arrest and conviction.”

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